期盼

• Pinyin: qī pàn
• Hanzi breakdown: 期 = 其 + 月 (moon, time period); 盼 = 目 (eye) + 分 (divide, phonetic)

Meaning

To look forward to eagerly; to hope earnestly with deep longing.

More emotionally charged than 期待. Implies a heartfelt, sustained longing rather than neutral expectation. Common in literary writing and emotional speech, especially for things deeply desired over a long time.

Examples

1. 孩子们期盼已久的暑假终于在欢呼声中到来了。 The summer vacation the children had been looking forward to for so long finally arrived amid cheers.
2. 她满怀期盼地等待着那封录取通知书的到来。 She waited with eager anticipation for the admission letter to arrive.
3. 家乡的父老乡亲期盼着远在他乡的游子早日归来。 Folks back home are eagerly hoping their loved one living far away will return soon.

Usage Guide

Context: emotion, social, literature

Tone: hopeful

Do Say

• 他期盼着与多年未见的挚友重逢叙旧。(He eagerly looked forward to reuniting with a dear friend he hadn't seen in years.)
• 父母含辛茹苦，期盼孩子学有所成，出人头地。(Parents toil and suffer, earnestly hoping their children will achieve academic success and excel in life.)

Don't Say

• 我期盼你明天来 — prefer 期待 in neutral everyday settings; 期盼 sounds more literary and carries stronger emotional weight

Origin & History

期 (period/expect) + 盼 (gaze hopefully/long for)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal